The glossy college rom‑com tries to revive 90s nostalgia but critics say its dated plot and shallow tone leave today’s Gen‑Alpha viewers unmoved.
A glossy launch that misses the mark
Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt stepped behind the camera for the first time with Don’t Be Shy, a musical rom‑com that tries to capture the carefree vibe of late‑90s college movies. The film opens with Shyamili Das – a hyper‑organized student who has mapped out every milestone from an IIM MBA to a CEO seat. Her plan hinges on an internship at her boyfriend Mayank’s firm, The Jhunhunwalas, and a tidy marriage by age 25.
The premise sounds like a classic coming‑of‑age tale, but the execution feels more like a glossy Instagram reel. Director Sreeti Mukerji builds a world that sparkles with bright colours and slick set‑pieces, yet the story itself sticks to a formula that has been recycled many times before.
Cast energy versus script fatigue
Newcomer Aarushi Bajaj carries the bulk of Shy’s transformation, shifting from a control‑obsessed planner to a bewildered girl scrambling to win back a broken‑heart boyfriend. Her effort is earnest, and the chemistry with Piyush Khati and Ansh Duggal adds a few genuine moments. Bianca Arora shines as Tara, the rival love interest, managing to avoid the one‑dimensional “mean girl” trap.
Supporting players – Anurag Basu, Anju Alva Naik and a cameo by Neha Dhupia – inject warmth, but their screen time is thin. Even Kunaal Roy Kapur’s brief stint as a college counselor feels more like a decorative cameo than a narrative driver.
A nostalgic aesthetic that feels out of sync
Koimoi notes that the film leans heavily on the visual language of early‑2000s hits like Aisha and Student of the Year. The soundtrack, bright and peppy, matches the aesthetic, but the screenplay, co‑written by Mukerji and Sehaj Kaur Maini, recycles the same class‑rich‑poor romance beats that have been done to death.
The review points out that today’s Gen‑Alpha audience, raised on shows like Stranger Things and streaming platforms that demand authentic, nuanced storytelling, is unlikely to be swayed by a plot that feels like a dated rulebook.
Production chops but narrative missteps
Alia and Shaheen’s production banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions, shows that they have learned the technical side – crisp cinematography, glossy set design, and a soundtrack that could easily find a place on a teen playlist. However, the film’s tone swings between trying to be a heartfelt coming‑of‑age drama and reaching for the shallow stakes of a high‑school romance, leaving the audience unsure where to invest emotionally.
The biggest criticism, according to Koimoi, is the film’s assumption that Gen‑Alpha viewers are “immature and shallow”. That misreading underestimates the demographic’s appetite for depth and makes the film feel condescending.
Bottom line
Don’t Be Shy delivers visual polish and a few lively performances, but its reliance on an over‑used plot and a tone that doesn’t resonate with today’s youth makes it a forgettable entry in the crowded rom‑com space. For a debut production effort, it shows promise in style. It still has a long way to go in storytelling.
The film opens across India this weekend, and box‑office numbers will reveal whether the glossy façade can mask the narrative shortcomings for a broader audience.
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